Written Answers Friday 30 June 2006

Scottish Executive

Bathing Waters

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what actions are proposed for those locations identified as failing to meet the European standard for bathing waters to ensure that they meet the standard in future, broken down by location and indicating the cost and timescale for each action.

Rhona Brankin: Three designated bathing waters failed to meet the mandatory standard of the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC) during 2005, the most recent season for which figures are complete. These were at Eyemouth, Nairn (East) and Stonehaven.

  It is the duty of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to monitor every bathing water, and to produce an annual report of its findings. SEPA also investigate the reasons for any failures in compliance, also reporting on these in its publication. The 2005 report, which covers the three failures, is available on the SEPA website at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/publications/bathingwaters/2005/bathing_waters_2005.pdf.

  SEPA also produce individual Pollution Reduction Plans for every bathing water. These outline the potential threats to compliance and set out actions that SEPA, working with stakeholders such as Scottish Water, believe are necessary to achieve compliance.

  The Pollution Reduction Plans for the three bathing waters can be found on SEPA’s website at:

  Eyemouth http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/data/bathingwaters/improve/9334.PDF.

  Nairn (East) http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/data/bathingwaters/improve/206178.PDF.

  Stonehaven http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/data/bathingwaters/improve/233617.PDF.

  Bathing waters can be at risk of failure from both point and diffuse sources of pollution. At Eyemouth investigations are continuing into the likely causes of the failure and therefore costs and actions cannot be detailed at this time. At Stonehaven, Scottish Water are to invest £10 million to help meet compliance with the Directive’s standards and it is hoped that the new facilities will be in place ahead of the 2008 bathing waters season. At Nairn (East), whilst it would appear a technical failure may have led to an instance of poor water quality, it is also likely that diffuse pollution controls will be important for maintaining water quality in the future. At present the Scottish Executive is working with the farming sector to develop measures to reduce the risks of diffuse pollution.

Dentistry

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentistry practices (a) serve NHS patients and (b) are available for new NHS patients in each NHS board area.

Lewis Macdonald: The number of practices that were providing NHS general dental services in each NHS board area at 31 March 2006 is shown in the following table. Information on practices accepting new NHS patients is not collected centrally.

  Number of Practices1 Providing NHS General Dental Services at 31 March 2006; by NHS Board Area

  

 NHS Board Area
 Number of Practices


 Argyll and Clyde
 83


 Ayrshire and Arran
 68


 Borders
 24


 Dumfries and Galloway
 27


 Fife
 60


 Forth Valley
 51


 Grampian
 72


 Greater Glasgow
 206


 Highland
 65


 Lanarkshire
 89


 Lothian
 154


 Orkney 
 6


 Shetland
 8


 Tayside
 83


 Western Isles
 7


 Scotland
 1,003



  Source: MIDAS (Management Information and Dental Accounting System). Data extracted 22 June 2006.

  Note: 1. All locations in each NHS board area in which NHS general dental services were provided (independent NHS general dental practice, NHS health centre/clinic, NHS emergency centre, NHS hospital, NHS mobile dental van, school/university premises, occupational health service department, prison, young offenders’ institute, and immigration centre).

Flooding

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in connection with a prioritisation scheme for applications for funding for flood alleviation schemes; when a draft scheme will be available; to what extent relevant parties have been, and will be, consulted on the scheme, and what criteria will be used for the purpose of prioritisation of applications.

Rhona Brankin: With increasing demands on resources in the future, there may be a need for prioritisation of grant funding to local authorities for flood prevention schemes. This issue has been discussed at the Flooding Issues Advisory Committee (FIAC) Alleviation Sub-Committee, and has resulted in a paper, FIAC2006(1), which can be viewed on the FIAC website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1223/0023586.pdf .

  However, there are at present no plans to introduce such a prioritisation system, as the schemes currently being brought forward by local authorities do not exceed the existing budget of £89 million for the period 2005-08. Of course, should circumstances change in the future, we would consult relevant parties on any criteria which might be under consideration for prioritisation of funding.

Flooding

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) homes and (b) businesses are at risk from flooding (i) in total and (ii) broken down by local authority area, also expressed as a percentage of all such properties.

Rhona Brankin: Information on the number of properties in Scotland at risk from flooding, and also broken down by local authority area, can be found in table 4.3 of the Executive publication  Climate Change: Flooding Occurrences Review which is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/kd01/lightgreen/ccfo-15.asp .

  Based on national assumptions, the research estimated the total number of properties at risk to be 92.5% residential and 7.5% commercial.

Flooding

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on (a) the number of calls made to Floodline from Scotland in each year since its establishment, also expressed as a percentage of all calls to Floodline and (b) the annual cost of this line, and where the organisation is based.

Rhona Brankin: This is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). I have asked Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA, to respond to the question direct.

Flooding

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to develop and increase the level of academic and research expertise in relation to flooding.

Rhona Brankin: Research related to flooding is contained within and publicised through the Environment Group Research Programme, full details are available on the Executive website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Research/17824/10205 . Currently the University of Dundee, Department of Geography is engaged through this programme in a research project on Exploring the Social Impacts of Flood Risk and Flooding in Scotland.

  In addition the Executive supports the UK wide Flooding Risk Management Research Consortium, which employs many university-based researchers and has the specific objective of developing and training the next generation of flood risk management professionals through their involvement in and exposure to the consortium’s research.

  The Executive has also established a Flood Risk Management Service, which is provided by Scotland Northern Ireland Forum for Environment Research (SNIFFER). The website http://www.sniffer.org.uk/rise/ contains full details and has a research programme that involves the Executive, local authorities, Scottish Water, SEPA, Scottish Environment Link and others as appropriate.

Flooding

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms exist to ensure that local authorities and other agencies co-operate on flooding-related issues to ensure that experiences and expertise is shared across Scotland.

Rhona Brankin: The Flooding Issues Advisory Committee (FIAC) provides a forum for a wide-range of stakeholders to share experiences and expertise on flood related issues. The work of FIAC, its Sub-Committees and full membership can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/Flooding/16919/FIAC .

  In addition, Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7 states that each local authority should convene a Flood Liaison and Advice Group (FLAG) or combine with other local authorities to do so, possibly on a catchment basis. The purpose of a FLAG is to act as a forum for the key public and private interests to share knowledge and offer advice on flooding issues. More information on FLAGs, and organisations normally represented, can be found in Planning Advice Note (PAN) 69 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/08/19805/41600.

  The Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) Group on Flooding is another such forum whose remit is to share knowledge and experience and to provide guidance to Scottish local authorities with regard to best practice in terms of issues related to flooding and water legislation. The Executive and most Scottish local authorities are represented at this group.

  Finally, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Flooding Task Group was established to consider the issues of flood prevention, flood incidents and coast protection. The group liaised with other bodies such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Executive on flooding issues.

Flooding

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list those areas that currently have a formal flood warning scheme, broken down by local authority area, and whether it will give details of how often this list is reviewed and the criteria used in doing so.

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many flood warnings there have been in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority area and by areas that have formal flood warning schemes.

Rhona Brankin: This is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). I have asked Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA, to respond to the question direct.

Flooding

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has about any differences there will be between the flood maps being developed for Scotland by public agencies and those used by insurance companies.

Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is developing a second generation flood risk map for the whole of Scotland which will support Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7 - Planning and Flooding - and assist local authorities avoid inappropriate new development in flood risk areas. Any maps being developed by insurance companies to inform their commercial decisions are a matter for them.

Forestry

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis funds were allocated to projects under the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme.

Rhona Brankin: The eligibility for applications to the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS) was set out in the guidance for applicants placed on the web. The SFGS is now, however, under review, in preparation for the introduction of the new Rural Development Plan next year. Details of the review can be seen on the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) web pages at www.forestry,gov.uk/scotland .

  The intention had been to close the SFGS in August to allow development of the new grants, but FCS had to close it in April because the value of applications received was significantly in excess of the funding available. The FCS has, however, discussed with the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) which categories of applications should be given priority for processing. The FCS has written to applicants giving them full details.

  Applications which will be given priority include those which are associated with ministerial commitments aimed at encouraging activity in particular policy areas. FCS will therefore look to approve schemes in the Locational Premium areas and those which form part of the Woods In and Around Towns Challenge Fund. Other examples are applications involving short rotation coppice, restocking associated with a long-term forest plan, and community/partnership participation.

  To help to support the record level of forestry activity, we have provided record levels of funding for the next two years - £26 million and £28 million respectively.

Historic Scotland

Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the key performance targets set for Historic Scotland in 2006-07.

Patricia Ferguson: The key performance targets I have set for Historic Scotland in 2006-07 are set out in the table:

  Historic Scotland Key Performance Targets 2006-07

  

 Key Performance Target
 Target for 2005-06
2005-06 Out-Turn
 Target for 2006-07


 1. Scheduling
 31 Parishes in Strathdon (Aberdeenshire) and around Inverness
 100%
 22 parishes in Dumfries and Galloway and Strathdon, (Aberdeenshire) 


 Commentary - Last year was the first year of a revised process and of new, tighter criteria for determining "national importance". The target was only achieved by diverting significant resources from other important work. In the light of that experience, and with a significantly changed team, a slightly less ambitious target has been set for this year.


 2. Listing
 Complete the resurvey of the Cairngorms National Park and burgh of Galashiels
 100%
Resurvey of Aberdeen Ward 34 (Castlehill)..


 Commentary - This is a priority city centre ward in Aberdeen for which the list essentially dates from 40 years ago, selected at the request of the council. 


3. Number of weeks in which 80% ofscheduled monument consent cases solved 
 9
 9 
 80% of cases to be resolved within 9 weeks


 Commentary - Only a change of wording is proposed (in the interests of consistency with the listed building target). The number of applications has been increasing and it is important that cases continue to receive careful attention. It is worth noting that no applications were refused last year.


 4. % of listed building etc cases resolved within 28 days
 97%
97.4%
97%


 Commentary - No change proposed; this target is proving very demanding and the casework teams in Historic Scotland are under real pressure.


 5. Condition surveys at Properties in Care.
 33
 33
 27


 Commentary - Historic Scotland has now completed the first round of condition surveys. These will need to be updated, but this is a less urgent task. The agency plans this year to update 27 surveys with a remit to "review conservation strategy and update priorities". This lower target will release some resources for other conservation work.


 6. Historic Scotland earned income
£22.35 million
£21.61 million
£23.485 million


 Commentary - The provisional outturn for last year was 3.3% below target. The main reason was lower than expected visitor numbers in the early part of the summer. Historic Scotland believes this was due to a combination of poor weather, people staying away because of the G8 summit and competition from other attractions. The agency maintained its market share among historic attractions. This year the agency is aiming for a 9% increase in income, on the back of a 4% increase in visitor numbers. This is ambitious, but would bring HS back onto the track laid out in its corporate plan.


7. Performance rating from MysteryVisits Programme
 88%
 89.1%
 88.2%


 Commentary - The bar is being raised slightly here, although it is already at a high level, in line with advice from the independent auditors.


8. Performance rating from education visitappraisal forms
 92%
 97% 
 93%


 Commentary - Again the bar is being raised here.


 9. Cash-releasing efficiency gains on all non-grant expenditure
 1%
 1% 
 1%


 Commentary - After a string of years in which gains averaging 1.5% were achieved this target is proving increasingly demanding. Much of the agency’s continuous improvement programme is currently aimed at improving quality, customer service and income. HS plans to reassess during the year the scope to reduce costs further.


 10. Policy
 None set
 n/a
Issue 4 Scottish Historic Environmental Policy Papersfor consultation


 Commentary - This is consistent with the Corporate Plan objective of completing the main series by 2008

Justice

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff have been disciplined as a result of alleged procurement irregularities at the Scottish Court Service headquarters in Edinburgh since 2004.

Cathy Jamieson: No instances of procurement irregularity have occurred at the Scottish Court Service Headquarters since 2004.

  Since the agency was established in 1995 there have only been two allegations of procurement irregularities in the SCS. Both occurred in 2003. The first in relation to procurement of IT equipment would have resulted in disciplinary action but the middle manager concerned resigned from the agency. The second in relation to the property department was the subject of an audit by Scottish Executive auditors who found no evidence of impropriety to substantiate the allegations.

Correction

The reply to question S2W-22222, which was originally answered on 26 January 2006, has been corrected: see page 8438 or http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-06/wa0629.htm.